5 To-Dos for the Next 10 Weeks

From customer appreciation efforts to business reviews and vendor evaluations, there are a lot of things to consider and plan for with just over 10 weeks left in the year. Are you doing everything you can to make sure 2015 wraps up on a high note and 2016 is set up for success? Here are 5 things your business can do to make these next 10 weeks count.

Review the year with your suppliers – This one’s a big one. How did your suppliers fare in 2015? Were there things you wanted to achieve with them that you didn’t? Were you able to reach your diversity, environmental and other goals? Reviewing this quarterly is ideal, and the end of the year wrap-up is a good time to see where your company is spending money, and whether it’s in line with your budgets and expectations. And while you’re discussing the year with your suppliers…

Get expert advice on where to improve – Not only should your suppliers be able to provide you with the detailed reporting that will give you full insight into your buying habits, but they should be providing you with collaborative, expert advice, as well. From identifying possible savings opportunities to demonstrating how your company compares to others of its size and in your industry, you should be able to count on your suppliers to give you that extra edge to get the most out of the relationship. Try to start off the new year with a handful of expertly advised ideas for improvement.

Dust off your safety plans – This one’s important, and it doesn’t have to be at the end of the year. But ask yourself when the last time was that you reviewed your safety plans and procedures? This kind of review should be done once a year, and if you haven’t done it yet, now’s a good time. Remind your employees to review your policies and encourage your facilities or safety staff to take a look at them, as well. It may be time to tweak and improve, or at the very least, refresh everyone’s memory on this very important component to keeping workers safe.

Brace yourself for winter – Sticking your head in the sand (or the snow) is an understandable reaction to the upcoming temperature drops and inclement weather facing most of the country. But it’s crucial to be prepared when those changes come—with 55% of workers making the trek to the office even in dangerous conditions, it can have a serious impact on your business. Stock up on ice melt and other supplies necessary to keep your facility safe and traversable, and make sure you’ve established clear criteria for office closure and telecommuting in the case of snow, ice and other risky conditions.

Celebrate your amazing year – It’s not all work and no play—as you prepare to close the books on 2015, ask yourself who made it a successful year for your business. Holiday cards, branded company swag, and fun celebrations are all good ways to thank the two groups most central to your success: your employees and your customers. It can be easy to get caught up in tackling another year, but don’t forget to stop and give yourself (and your workers and customers) a pat on the back.

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